BOOK NEWS
Holiday Giving
Looking for a special gift for the book-lovers on your list? Look no further! The VWF has gift ideas to bring joy to readers of all persuasions, from gift certificates to memberships.
http://writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/perfect-gifts-book-lovers
AWARDS & LISTS
The longlist has been announced for the 19th International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, a prize worth €100,000. Eleven Canadian titles made the cut!
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/24/2015-dublin-literary-award-longlist-includes-11-canadian-titles/
Vancouver writer Christine Leclerc has won the bpNichol Chapbook Award for Oilywood. The $4,000 prize recognizes the best poetry chapbook published in Canada the previous year.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/24/christine-leclerc-wins-2014-bpnichol-chapbook-award/
Gary Bass has won the seventh annual Cundill Prize in Historical Literature for The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide. "The $75,000 U.S. award is the world's richest international prize for a non-fiction work, recognizing a book that has 'a profound literary, social, and academic impact in the area of history.'"
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/21/gary-bass-wins-2014-cundill-prize-in-historical-literature/
YOUNG READERS
Last week, Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. In this interview, she discusses the racist gaffe which marred her appearance at the awards, "swimming against the tide in a white industry and how her own story is entwined with that of America."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/25/jacqueline-woodson-national-book-awards-invisible
NEWS & FEATURES
The writer PD James, who charted the transformations of British life through bestselling crime fiction starring the detective Adam Dalgliesh, has died aged 94.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/27/pd-james-detective-fiction-dies-aged-94-detective-adam-dalgliesh
Literary tourism is on the rise, including in Canada! Here's a guide to Toronto's stores, sites and events for the literary-minded.
http://bookriot.com/2014/11/23/literary-tourism-toronto/
Winnie the Pooh has been barred from a Polish playground because of his "dubious sexuality" and "inappropriate" clothing. According to one local council member, Pooh "is half naked which is wholly inappropriate for children. [Poland's fictional bear] is dressed from head to toe, unlike Pooh who is only dressed from the waist up."
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/winnie-the-pooh-banned-from-polish-playground-for-being-an-inappropriate-hermaphrodite-9872278.html
There's a young adult fiction boom going on in the Arab world. "The boom in young adult fiction has left the Arab publishing world playing catch-up, as authors try to compete with Twilight and The Hunger Games without breaking cultural taboos."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/nov/21/ya-fiction-arab-world-young-adu
A shooting at Florida State University has resulted in unusual publicity for books: they saved one student's life, literally. "His backpack full of books stopped a bullet...he only realized hours later the gunman had tried to shoot him when he found a bullet among the now-shredded books he had checked out of the library. The Oxford Context of Wyclif's Thought caught the slug."
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fsu-student-jason-derfuss-saved-book-bag-campus-shooting-n252536
It's a tough time to be an anti-heroine! "Monstrous men are more than welcome in serious fiction, but create an unlikeable female character and you're in for trouble."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/nov/17/readers-anti-hero-anti-heroines-fiction
What's an "authorism?" They're words coined by authors that have entered the wider language. Here are top ten words invented by writers.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/19/top-10-words-invented-writers-authorisms
The rhythms of overheard speech vary from language to language. What's English's rhythm? "English is a great language for writing headlines, and tweets, but also for hearing haiku."
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2014/11/18/overheard-haiku/
Why do people write on bathroom walls? It's been a human pattern for centuries. "The Roman poet Martial, who lived in the first century AD, totally zinged a rival writer with the suggestion that if he wanted to get published, he should go find a bathroom wall."
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/11/behind-the-writing-on-the-stalls/383016/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Let Me Be Frank With You is Richard Ford's fourth work of fiction chronicling the life of Frank Bascombe, hero of his novels The Sportswriter, Independence Day, and The Lay of the Land. He's interviewed by Deborah Treisman, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/living-frank-bascombe-interview-richard-ford
The protagonists of Julie Lawson Timmer's debut novel, Five Days Left, make up two very different families. One consists of a single mother recently diagnosed with Huntington's disease, and the other is a pair of foster parents who must make a difficult decision when their charge's biological mother suddenly dies. Timmer is interviewed here:
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-julie-lawson-timmer/
This year marks the 30th year anniversary of Roch Carrier's The Hockey Sweater. Now, Carrier's interest in the history of Canada's French-English divide has resulted in a new book: Montcalm and Wolfe: Two Men Who Forever Changed the Course of History.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/roch-carrier-revisits-history-closer-to-home/article21734237/
The Guardian newspaper recently hosted a webchat with Vancouver writer William Gibson. The author of Neuromancer and a new novel, called The Peripheral, answered readers' questions– "from AI to the influence of Blade Runner in our belief in the future to why he didn't predict cellphones."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/live/2014/nov/21/william-gibson-webchat-post-your-questions-now
Speaking of webchats, the Rumpus Poetry Book Club also recently organized a discussion online. You can see their chat with Michael Bazzett, author of You Must Remember This, here:
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-rumpus-poetry-book-club-chat-with-michael-bazzett/
Are you a fan of Spoken Word? Here's an interesting collection of readings put together by the National Park Service.
http://www.nps.gov/safr/photosmultimedia/spoken-word.htm
Published authors are being invited to apply for the 2015-2016 Haig-Brown House Writer in Residence position. Complete details here:
http://www.haig-brown.bc.ca/writer-residence.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
DAVID ZIEROTH
Book launch of the authors new collection of poems, Albrecht Durer and Me. Thursday, November 27 at 7:00pm, free. Capilano Library, 3045 Highland Blvd., North Vancouver. For more information and to register, call 604-987-4471.
GRAHAM GOOD
Author reads from his forthcoming translated poetry collection Goethe's Poems. Also reading, Jim Christie from his new poetry collection The Big Thirst. Friday, November 28 at 6:00pm. Cottage Bistro.
TOFINO & CLAYOQUOT SOUND: A HISTORY
Authors Margaret Horsfield and Ian Kennedy sign copies of their new book. Saturday, November 29 at 2:00pm. Russell Books, 734 Fort Street, Victoria.
SHORE TO SHORE
Author Suzanne Fournier launches her new book. Saturday, November 29 at 2:00pm. Bill Reid Gallery for Northwest Coast Art, 639 Hornby St., Vancouver.
AN EVENING WITH SOME OF VANCOUVER'S FAVOURITE QUEER WRITERS
Join Rachel Rose, Nat Marshik, Alan Woo, Esther McPhee and Brett Josef Grubisic as they read from their latest work. Hosted by Amber Dawn. Amber Dawn also leads the largest queer free-writing group exercise of all time! Tweet your #queerpoem to @PlenitudeMag and it will be read on stage. Saturday, November 29th. Doors at 8pm, starts at 8:30pm, at Cafe Deux Soleils. $10 at the door includes two print issues of Plenitude Magazine. For details, join the event on Facebook, facebook.com/events/742453355843036/.
MOSS-HAIRED GIRL
3-Day novel winning manuscript Moss-Haired Girl: The Confessions of a Circus Performer, A Novella by R.H. Slansky, will be launched in book form as will new issues of Geist and subTerrain. Saturday, November 29 at 8:00pm, free. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at info@anvilpress.com.
TURBULENT TALES
Award-winning journalist and author Carol Shaben joins Edmonton's Historian Laureate, Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail to launch her new book, Polar Winds: A Century of Flying the North. Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00pm. Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum St., Vancouver.
ON MALICE
Author Ken Babstock launches his new collection. Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse, Main Street, Vancouver.
FIONNCARA MACEOIN
Author reads from her new collection of poetry, Not the First Thing I've Missed. Tuesday, December 2 at 12:00 noon. The Paperhound Bookshop, 344 West Pender Street, Vancouver.
ECHOES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Join author and historian Robert "Lucky" Budd and CBC's Sheryl MacKay to celebrate the release of his latest book. Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse, Main Street, Vancouver.
POETRY O'CLOCK
Readings featuring Helen Guri, visiting from Toronto, and great local poets Gillian Jerome, Alex Leslie and Cecily Nicholson. Thursday, December 4 at 7:00pm. People's Co-Op Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
USED BOOK CHRISTMAS SALE
Looking for a special gift for someone on your holiday shopping list? Browse a great selection of gently used children's and adult books, CDs and DVDs. December 4-6, 2014 from 10am to 5pm. Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
SHEILA NICKOLS
Author signs her new book Looking Back at Maple Ridge. Friday, December 5 at 1:00pm. Black Bond Books, Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge. More information at 604-463-8624.
SUSAN MCCASLIN
Author will be reading from The Disarmed Heart at the Planet Earth Poetry Series with Dvora Levin, Hillside Coffee and Tea, 1633 Hillside, Victoria, B.C., Friday Dec. 5, 2014, 7:30-9 pm.
MIKE MCCARDELL
Author will sign copies of his newest book Cardboard Ocean. Saturday, December 6 at 11:00am. Coles Bookstore, Seven Oaks Mall, Abbotsford.
CRIME WRITERS PANEL
Three local authors explain what goes into writing believable murder mysteries and thrillers, and answer all the questions that you're just dying to ask. Saturday, December 6 at 2:00pm, registration appreciated. Terry Fox Library.
POETIC JUSTICE READING SERIES
Debut poets Elaine Woo and Kayla Czaga present their new books. Sunday, December 7 at 3:00pm. The Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St., New Westminster. More information at poeticjustice.ca.
A WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION WITH POETRY AND MUSIC
Celebrate the solstice with local poets and musicians at a fundraiser for kids in need. Features Evelyn Lau, Christopher Levenson, Bonnie Nish, Rob Taylor, Diane Tucker, Fiona Tinwei Lam, and musical performers Fraser Union, Christina Kent, Samuel Louis, and Bob Walker. Wednesday, December 10, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver.
Upcoming
THE CORPSE WITH THE PLATINUM HAIR
Author Cathy Ace signs her latest mystery novel. Saturday, December 13 at 1:00pm. Black Bond Books, Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge. More information at 604-463-8624.
JILL BARBER
Join singer-songwriter as she reads from her newest children's book, Music is for Everyone! Sunday, December 14 at 2:00pm. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More informatin at emackinnon@nimbus.ca.
WINNING THE WAR
Author Mark Zuehlke offers an insightful, informative journey back to February and March 1945 when our nation's soldiers launched one of the Second World War's most important offensives in his new book Forgotten Victory: First
Canadian Army and the Cruel Winter of 1944-45. Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00pm. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Readings by Jacqueline Turner and Changming Yuan. Wednesday, December 17 at 12:00 noon. Teck Gallery, SFU Harbour Centre Campus, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. More information at https://www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/upcoming-events/lunch-poems/readings/2014/17Dec2014.html.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Book News Vol. 9 No. 37
BOOK NEWS
David Mitchell Podcast
If you missed our September 27 special event with Cloud Atlas author David Mitchell, an audio podcast is now on our website. David chats with VWF Artistic Director Hal Wake about the recurring themes and characters in his
books, and how his new novel The Bone Clocks continues his obsession with interconnectedness. Listen here:
http://writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/evening-david-mitchell
Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 22-27) presents events with writers from across Canada, the US and Israel. Festival Highlights include the Opening Night Gala featuring Israel's bestselling author Zeruya Shalev (The Remains of Love); Steven Galloway (The Confabulist) headlining the Festival's annual book club event; CBC Radio host, Dr. Brian Goldman (White Coat, Black Art), and appearances from a host of local writers including Bob Bossin and Mark Leiren-Young. The Festival includes meet-the-author opportunities, readings and panel discussions, writing and self-publishing workshops, children's authors and film-screenings. For more information and tickets, visit jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
The winners of the 2014 Governor General's Literary Awards have been named. Thomas King won the English language fiction prize for his novel The Back of the Turtle. Other winners included Michael Harris for non-Fiction, Arleen Paré for poetry, Jordan Tannahill for drama, Raziel Reid for children's literature (text), Jillian Tamaki for children's literature (illustration) and Peter Feldstein for translation (French to English).
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/11/the-2014-governor-generals-literary-award-winners.html
Winners of the 2014 National Book Awards were announced last night and include Phil Klay for Redeployment, Evan Osnos for Age of Ambition, Louise Gluck for Faithful and Virtuous Night, and Jacqueline Woodson for Brown Girl Dreaming.
http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2014.html
YOUNG READERS
Here are three young adult books worth a read: Blue Mountain by Martine Leavitt, Throwaway Girl by Kristine Scarrow, and Ship of Dolls by Shirtley Parenteau. Check out their reviews, here.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/three-young-adult-books-worth-a-read/article21592002/
NEWS & FEATURES
It's Margaret Atwood's 75th birthday! "She shows no sign of slowing down as an artist–are you up to speed?" Take a quiz and find out, here.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/quiz/2014/nov/18/margaret-atwood-75-quiz
And if you don't believe that she's still in the game, here's a hilarious reason why: Margaret Atwood responds to some common tweets about Canadians!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/tanyachen/margaret-atwood-responds-questions-about-canadians
What do libraries mean to you? According to Neil Gaiman, they are "seed corn," safe spaces that were vital to him as a child.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/17/neil-gaiman-libraries-are-cultural-seed-corn
Energy giant Kinder Morgan has served Vancouver poet and professor Stephen Collis a 5.6 million dollar lawsuit for opposing the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. A petition is being gathered to raise support from the literary community.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2014/11/energy-giant-serves-vancouver-poet-professor-stephen-collis-5-6-million-lawsuit-for-opposing-pipeline-expansion/
Speaking of corporate giants, Amazon and Hachette have finally announced a settlement. Amazon spokesperson David Naggar said that the digital retailer is "pleased with this new agreement as it includes specific financial incentives for Hachette to deliver lower prices, which we believe will be a great win for readers and authors alike."
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2014/11/13/amazon-and-hachette-announce-settlement/
A sad day for the humanities: the U.K.'s secretary of education has declared that arts subjects "will hold [students] back for the rest of their lives." Speaking at the launch of a campaign to promote science, technology, math and engineering, Morgan stated that the notion of arts or humanities subjects keeping pupils' career choices open "couldn't be further from the truth".
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/11/education-secretary-nicky-morgan-arts-subjects-limit-career-choices/
How has the social role of poetry changed since Shelley? That's the question in this week's edition of The New York Times' Bookends. Adam Kirsch and Leslie Jamison discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/books/review/how-has-the-social-role-of-poetry-changed-since-shelley.html
Women are dominating self-publishing! Ironically, the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy that has led to a surge in middle-aged women producing e-books.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/09/fifty-shades-of-grey-women-dominate-self-publishing?et_mid=702494&rid=241005533
And if they're not publishing, they're probably rewriting (or questioning their literary worth!) Here's Chuck Wendig's aptly named "On the detestation of your manuscript: an expedition into the dark, tumultuous heart of authorial self-hatred".
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/10/on-the-detestation-of-your-manuscript-an-expedition-into-the-dark-tumultuous-heart-of-authorial-self-hatred/
It's easy to rag on big screen adaptations of books. But what about small screen ones? In this piece, Maddie Crum makes the case for television.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/madeleine-crum/are-tv-adaptations-better_b_6117442.html
On that note, Philip Roth's novel Indignation is set to be adapted for film. James Schamus, the former head of Focus Features, will make his directorial debut with the project.
http://flavorwire.com/newswire/philip-roth-novel-indignation-to-be-adapted-into-film-directed-by-james-schamus
BOOKS & WRITERS
Wayde Compton is a man of many hats: poet, essayist, co-founding member of the Hogan's Alley Memorial Project, and director of the Creative Writing Program at SFU Continuing Studies. Now he's branched out into short fiction, with a work called The Outer Harbour. He's interviewed, here.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/id-rather-be-happy-now/article21591608/
Diane Schoemperlen's By The Book was written as a follow-up to her Governor General Award-winning book Forms of Devotion. It is a "virtuoso performance in found text and visual poetry," "a poetic journey lead by a skilled craftsperson."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/diane-schoemperlens-by-the-book-is-a-poetic-journey-lead-by-a-skilled-craftsperson/article21591328/
In Where I'm Reading From, Tim Parks tackles translation. Nineteen Eighty-Four begins: "'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen'...the earliest Italian translation of Orwell's novel 'has the clocks striking one, not thirteen'. The (unnamed) translator, alert to the 24-hour clock, was apparently 'unaware of how interesting a clock striking thirteen would be.'"
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/14/where-im-reading-from-changing-world-of-books-tim-parks-review
Anthony Powell's first novel, Afternoon Men, just might be "the funniest novel you've never read...It's a good thing Afternoon Men is so funny because otherwise it might well be one of the bleakest novels in the English language."
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2014/11/afternoon_men_by_anthony_powell_is_the_funniest_novel_you_ve_never_read.2.html
Denis Johnson's The Laughing Monsters is a "sinewy spy thriller that roams throughout West Africa." Written in the spirit of Graham Greene, it's a "testimonial of Western hubris and deceit, profiteering and naivety, yet less a crisis of selfhood than a tale of self-preservation."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/denis-johnsons-the-laughing-monsters-is-a-sinewy-spy-thriller-that-roams-throughout-west-africa/article21590759/
Laura Ingalls Wilder is famous for her Little House on the Prairie Books. She was never, however, able to get her autobiography published. Now, 80 years later, the book, which includes Wilder's complete first draft as well as "scrupulous and wide-ranging new research," is finally seeing the light of day.
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2014/11/little_house_nonfiction_laura_ingalls_wilder_s_memoir_pioneer_girl_reviewed.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MEET THE AUTHOR
Steven Galloway discuses his latest novel, The Confabulist. Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 PM. Christianne's Lyceum. 3696 W. 8th Ave. $22 (includes refreshments). To reserve your space call 604.733.1356 or email lyceum@christiannehayward.com. More information at www.christiannehayward.com.
HOOKED
Author Michael Heatherington launches his new book. Wednesday, November 26 at 6:00pm, free. The Paper Hound, 344 West Pender Street, Vancouver.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Christopher Levenson, Sean Wiebe, and Fionncara MacEoin plus open mic. Thursday, November 27th, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
THE SEA AMONG US
Join BC-based researchers, Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, as well as several other Vancouver contributors, as they celebrate the release of their new book, The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia. The presentation and book signing will take place at Book Warehouse (Main Street) on Thursday, November 27 at 7pm, and admission is free. For more information, email mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca.
OH MY DARLING
WVML 2014 Writer in Residence Shaena Lambert will speak about the fiction writing process, and explore some of the techniques and mysteries involved in 'getting the words right.' Thursday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Welsh Hall West, West Vancouver Memorial Library. More information at 604-925-7403.
Upcoming
AN EVENING WITH SOME OF VANCOUVER'S FAVOURITE QUEER WRITERS
Join Rachel Rose, Nat Marshik, Alan Woo, Esther McPhee and Brett Josef Grubisic as they read from their latest work. Hosted by Amber Dawn. Amber Dawn also leads the largest queer free-writing group exercise of all time! Tweet your #queerpoem to @PlenitudeMag and it will be read on stage. Saturday, November 29th. Doors at 8pm, starts at 8:30pm, at Cafe Deux Soleils. $10 at the door includes two print issues of Plenitude Magazine. For details, join the event on Facebook, facebook.com/events/742453355843036/.
MOSS-HAIRED GIRL
3-Day novel winning manuscript Moss-Haired Girl: The Confessions of a Circus Performer, A Novella by R.H. Slansky, will be launched in book form as will new issues of Geist and subTerrain. Saturday, November 29 at 8:00pm, free. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at info@anvilpress.com.
TURBULENT TALES
Award-winning journalist and author, Carol Shaben joins Edmonton’s Historian Laureate, Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail to launch her new book, Polar Winds: A Century of Flying the North. Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00pm. Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum St., Vancouver.
CRIME WRITERS PANEL
Three local authors explain what goes into writing believable murder mysteries and thrillers, and answer all the questions that you're just dying to ask. Saturday, December 6 at 2:00pm, registration appreciated. Terry Fox Library.
A WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION WITH POETRY AND MUSIC
Celebrate the solstice with local poets and musicians at a fundraiser for kids in need. Features Evelyn Lau, Christopher Levenson, Bonnie Nish, Rob Taylor, Diane Tucker, Fiona Tinwei Lam, and musical performers Fraser Union, Christina Kent, Samuel Louis, and Bob Walker. Wednesday, December 10, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver.
David Mitchell Podcast
If you missed our September 27 special event with Cloud Atlas author David Mitchell, an audio podcast is now on our website. David chats with VWF Artistic Director Hal Wake about the recurring themes and characters in his
books, and how his new novel The Bone Clocks continues his obsession with interconnectedness. Listen here:
http://writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/evening-david-mitchell
Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 22-27) presents events with writers from across Canada, the US and Israel. Festival Highlights include the Opening Night Gala featuring Israel's bestselling author Zeruya Shalev (The Remains of Love); Steven Galloway (The Confabulist) headlining the Festival's annual book club event; CBC Radio host, Dr. Brian Goldman (White Coat, Black Art), and appearances from a host of local writers including Bob Bossin and Mark Leiren-Young. The Festival includes meet-the-author opportunities, readings and panel discussions, writing and self-publishing workshops, children's authors and film-screenings. For more information and tickets, visit jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
The winners of the 2014 Governor General's Literary Awards have been named. Thomas King won the English language fiction prize for his novel The Back of the Turtle. Other winners included Michael Harris for non-Fiction, Arleen Paré for poetry, Jordan Tannahill for drama, Raziel Reid for children's literature (text), Jillian Tamaki for children's literature (illustration) and Peter Feldstein for translation (French to English).
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/11/the-2014-governor-generals-literary-award-winners.html
Winners of the 2014 National Book Awards were announced last night and include Phil Klay for Redeployment, Evan Osnos for Age of Ambition, Louise Gluck for Faithful and Virtuous Night, and Jacqueline Woodson for Brown Girl Dreaming.
http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2014.html
YOUNG READERS
Here are three young adult books worth a read: Blue Mountain by Martine Leavitt, Throwaway Girl by Kristine Scarrow, and Ship of Dolls by Shirtley Parenteau. Check out their reviews, here.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/three-young-adult-books-worth-a-read/article21592002/
NEWS & FEATURES
It's Margaret Atwood's 75th birthday! "She shows no sign of slowing down as an artist–are you up to speed?" Take a quiz and find out, here.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/quiz/2014/nov/18/margaret-atwood-75-quiz
And if you don't believe that she's still in the game, here's a hilarious reason why: Margaret Atwood responds to some common tweets about Canadians!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/tanyachen/margaret-atwood-responds-questions-about-canadians
What do libraries mean to you? According to Neil Gaiman, they are "seed corn," safe spaces that were vital to him as a child.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/17/neil-gaiman-libraries-are-cultural-seed-corn
Energy giant Kinder Morgan has served Vancouver poet and professor Stephen Collis a 5.6 million dollar lawsuit for opposing the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. A petition is being gathered to raise support from the literary community.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2014/11/energy-giant-serves-vancouver-poet-professor-stephen-collis-5-6-million-lawsuit-for-opposing-pipeline-expansion/
Speaking of corporate giants, Amazon and Hachette have finally announced a settlement. Amazon spokesperson David Naggar said that the digital retailer is "pleased with this new agreement as it includes specific financial incentives for Hachette to deliver lower prices, which we believe will be a great win for readers and authors alike."
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2014/11/13/amazon-and-hachette-announce-settlement/
A sad day for the humanities: the U.K.'s secretary of education has declared that arts subjects "will hold [students] back for the rest of their lives." Speaking at the launch of a campaign to promote science, technology, math and engineering, Morgan stated that the notion of arts or humanities subjects keeping pupils' career choices open "couldn't be further from the truth".
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/11/education-secretary-nicky-morgan-arts-subjects-limit-career-choices/
How has the social role of poetry changed since Shelley? That's the question in this week's edition of The New York Times' Bookends. Adam Kirsch and Leslie Jamison discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/books/review/how-has-the-social-role-of-poetry-changed-since-shelley.html
Women are dominating self-publishing! Ironically, the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy that has led to a surge in middle-aged women producing e-books.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/09/fifty-shades-of-grey-women-dominate-self-publishing?et_mid=702494&rid=241005533
And if they're not publishing, they're probably rewriting (or questioning their literary worth!) Here's Chuck Wendig's aptly named "On the detestation of your manuscript: an expedition into the dark, tumultuous heart of authorial self-hatred".
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/10/on-the-detestation-of-your-manuscript-an-expedition-into-the-dark-tumultuous-heart-of-authorial-self-hatred/
It's easy to rag on big screen adaptations of books. But what about small screen ones? In this piece, Maddie Crum makes the case for television.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/madeleine-crum/are-tv-adaptations-better_b_6117442.html
On that note, Philip Roth's novel Indignation is set to be adapted for film. James Schamus, the former head of Focus Features, will make his directorial debut with the project.
http://flavorwire.com/newswire/philip-roth-novel-indignation-to-be-adapted-into-film-directed-by-james-schamus
BOOKS & WRITERS
Wayde Compton is a man of many hats: poet, essayist, co-founding member of the Hogan's Alley Memorial Project, and director of the Creative Writing Program at SFU Continuing Studies. Now he's branched out into short fiction, with a work called The Outer Harbour. He's interviewed, here.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/id-rather-be-happy-now/article21591608/
Diane Schoemperlen's By The Book was written as a follow-up to her Governor General Award-winning book Forms of Devotion. It is a "virtuoso performance in found text and visual poetry," "a poetic journey lead by a skilled craftsperson."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/diane-schoemperlens-by-the-book-is-a-poetic-journey-lead-by-a-skilled-craftsperson/article21591328/
In Where I'm Reading From, Tim Parks tackles translation. Nineteen Eighty-Four begins: "'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen'...the earliest Italian translation of Orwell's novel 'has the clocks striking one, not thirteen'. The (unnamed) translator, alert to the 24-hour clock, was apparently 'unaware of how interesting a clock striking thirteen would be.'"
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/14/where-im-reading-from-changing-world-of-books-tim-parks-review
Anthony Powell's first novel, Afternoon Men, just might be "the funniest novel you've never read...It's a good thing Afternoon Men is so funny because otherwise it might well be one of the bleakest novels in the English language."
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2014/11/afternoon_men_by_anthony_powell_is_the_funniest_novel_you_ve_never_read.2.html
Denis Johnson's The Laughing Monsters is a "sinewy spy thriller that roams throughout West Africa." Written in the spirit of Graham Greene, it's a "testimonial of Western hubris and deceit, profiteering and naivety, yet less a crisis of selfhood than a tale of self-preservation."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/denis-johnsons-the-laughing-monsters-is-a-sinewy-spy-thriller-that-roams-throughout-west-africa/article21590759/
Laura Ingalls Wilder is famous for her Little House on the Prairie Books. She was never, however, able to get her autobiography published. Now, 80 years later, the book, which includes Wilder's complete first draft as well as "scrupulous and wide-ranging new research," is finally seeing the light of day.
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2014/11/little_house_nonfiction_laura_ingalls_wilder_s_memoir_pioneer_girl_reviewed.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MEET THE AUTHOR
Steven Galloway discuses his latest novel, The Confabulist. Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 PM. Christianne's Lyceum. 3696 W. 8th Ave. $22 (includes refreshments). To reserve your space call 604.733.1356 or email lyceum@christiannehayward.com. More information at www.christiannehayward.com.
HOOKED
Author Michael Heatherington launches his new book. Wednesday, November 26 at 6:00pm, free. The Paper Hound, 344 West Pender Street, Vancouver.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Christopher Levenson, Sean Wiebe, and Fionncara MacEoin plus open mic. Thursday, November 27th, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
THE SEA AMONG US
Join BC-based researchers, Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, as well as several other Vancouver contributors, as they celebrate the release of their new book, The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia. The presentation and book signing will take place at Book Warehouse (Main Street) on Thursday, November 27 at 7pm, and admission is free. For more information, email mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca.
OH MY DARLING
WVML 2014 Writer in Residence Shaena Lambert will speak about the fiction writing process, and explore some of the techniques and mysteries involved in 'getting the words right.' Thursday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Welsh Hall West, West Vancouver Memorial Library. More information at 604-925-7403.
Upcoming
AN EVENING WITH SOME OF VANCOUVER'S FAVOURITE QUEER WRITERS
Join Rachel Rose, Nat Marshik, Alan Woo, Esther McPhee and Brett Josef Grubisic as they read from their latest work. Hosted by Amber Dawn. Amber Dawn also leads the largest queer free-writing group exercise of all time! Tweet your #queerpoem to @PlenitudeMag and it will be read on stage. Saturday, November 29th. Doors at 8pm, starts at 8:30pm, at Cafe Deux Soleils. $10 at the door includes two print issues of Plenitude Magazine. For details, join the event on Facebook, facebook.com/events/742453355843036/.
MOSS-HAIRED GIRL
3-Day novel winning manuscript Moss-Haired Girl: The Confessions of a Circus Performer, A Novella by R.H. Slansky, will be launched in book form as will new issues of Geist and subTerrain. Saturday, November 29 at 8:00pm, free. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at info@anvilpress.com.
TURBULENT TALES
Award-winning journalist and author, Carol Shaben joins Edmonton’s Historian Laureate, Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail to launch her new book, Polar Winds: A Century of Flying the North. Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00pm. Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum St., Vancouver.
CRIME WRITERS PANEL
Three local authors explain what goes into writing believable murder mysteries and thrillers, and answer all the questions that you're just dying to ask. Saturday, December 6 at 2:00pm, registration appreciated. Terry Fox Library.
A WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION WITH POETRY AND MUSIC
Celebrate the solstice with local poets and musicians at a fundraiser for kids in need. Features Evelyn Lau, Christopher Levenson, Bonnie Nish, Rob Taylor, Diane Tucker, Fiona Tinwei Lam, and musical performers Fraser Union, Christina Kent, Samuel Louis, and Bob Walker. Wednesday, December 10, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Book News Vol. 9 No. 36
BOOK NEWS
Tonight!
Tickets will be available at the door for our special event with Conrad Black this evening, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/conradblack.
AWARDS & LISTS
Sean Michaels has been awarded the $100,000 Giller Prize for his debut novel, Us Conductors. Only one other first-timer has ever won the prize.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/11/sean-michaels-a-surprise-winner-at-last-nights-scotiabank-giller-prize-gala/
Kathy Stinson and illustrator Dusan Petricic have won the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Their book is called The Man with the Violin.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/11/photos-td-canadian-childrens-literature-awards/
Cathy Marie Buchanan has won this year's Forest of Reading Evergreen Award for her book The Painted Girls. The award is part of a reading program initiated by the Ontario Library Association, and aims to recognize the best titles in Canadian adult fiction and non-fiction.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2014/11/07/cathy-marie-buchanan-wins-2014-forest-of-reading-evergreen-award/
YOUNG READERS
Maxwell Neely-Cohen is a YA writer who likes to play with tropes. In this interview, he discusses "smart teens, furious parents, YA tropes, the intersection of video games and literature, messy early drafts, how our screens change how we see the world, and the apocalypse."
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-maxwell-neely-cohen/
NEWS & FEATURES
What makes a good or bad editor? "An editor whose taste is unique to himself is a bad editor. The only person who discovers a writer is the writer himself." Here's an interview with Lorin Stein, editor of The Paris Review.
http://alainelkanninterviews.com/lorin-stein/
Should books be declared an "essential good?" The French government recently declared them so. Daniel Mendelsohn and Mohsin Hamid discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/books/review/should-the-united-states-declare-books-an-essential-good.html
Between the fifth and the thirteenth centuries, most books were made of calf, sheep or goatskin. In this article, Erik Kwakkel explores a few of those books, and discusses why looking at imperfect skin is "far more interesting than studying its perfect counterpart."
http://medievalbooks.nl/2014/10/24/feeling-good-about-bad-skin/
Flannery O'Connor has been inducted into the American Poets Corner at New York's St. John the Divine Cathedral. It is the "only shrine to American literature in the country."
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/flannery-oconnors-manhattan-memorial
John le Carré's A Most Wanted Man has been banned at Guantánamo Bay. "The fact that le Carré's book is banned at least certifies that the censors at Guantánamo Bay can read-and take offence. Few novels have been more critical of America's post-2001 "security" apparatus than A Most Wanted Man."
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/a-most-wanted-man-by-john-le-carre-964
Translator Greg Spence is currently in the process of translating Joseph Boyden's critically acclaimed first novel, Three Day Road, into Cree. Many problems have arisen, especially from the opposing worldviews inherent within the languages themselves.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-culture/2014/11/11/spotlight-translating-joseph-boydens-three-day-road
Seven Munsch titles, including Love You Forever, Thomas' Snowsuit, Mud Puddle, and I Have to Go have all been translated by a committee of Mi'kmaq educators.
http://www.quillandquire.com/childrens-publishing/2014/11/11/spotlight-robert-munsch-in-mikmaq/
Last but not least, there has been an recent effort to create indigenous graphic novels for the YA set, spearheaded by David Alexander, who writes books that draw on Cree mythology and history. His books are just some of many that can be found in the Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection at the University of Manitoba.
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2014/11/11/spotlight-david-alexanders-graphic-novels-draw-on-cree-mythology/
BOOKS & WRITERS
As the audience at this week's VWF event with Bruce Cockburn discovered, his book Rumours of Glory is "not your standard rock 'n' roll memoir." A Globe and Mail interview with Cockburn can be found here.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/from-bruce-cockburn-not-your-standard-rocknroll-memoir/article21538901/
A new book, Writers: Literary Lives in Focus, is a collection of two hundred and fifty portraits of literary greats. "From Henri Cartier-Bresson's 1947 photograph of William Faulkner at his home in Oxford, Mississippi, to Philippe Halsman's portrait of a leaping Aldous Huxley, the book is a testament to the expressive power of portrait photography."
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/capturing-literary-lives
The curator of the Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia, Ontario, has compiled a poetry anthology dedicated to Gordon Lightfoot. Stephen Leacock is "probably the person of largest significance in our town, but he's been dead since 1944. We thought we would look forward."
http://www.quillandquire.com/bookselling-2/2014/11/11/leacock-museum-curator-compiles-poetry-anthology-dedicated-to-gordon-lightfoot/
What was the last poem you loved? For Brian Spears, it was Let Me Tell You, by Miller Williams, "a terrific poem to start beginning students off with, because it illustrates the importance of image when writing a narrative poem, among other things."
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-last-poem-i-loved-let-me-tell-you-by-miller-williams/
Two years ago, fans of John Darnielle's band, the Mountain Goats, led a campaign to see him named US Poet Laureate. Now his debut novel, Wolf in White Van, has been named to the 2014 National Book Award longlist. He's interviewed here.
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-john-darnielle/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SOUTHBANK READING SERIES
Features Kate Braid, with Cristina Viviani, Daniela Elza, Tanveer Sohal, Laurel Albina, Joan Boxall, and Bernice Lever. Nov 13, doors open at 6pm, readings begin at 6:30pm. Location: Surrey Central City Library.
AFGHAN STORYTELLING EVENING
A diverse line-up of speakers will tell short stories to accompany images of Afghanistan: about people, places, food, family, music, culture, art, education, and more. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets include full dinner, dessert, beverages for $25 per person through Eventbrite or at Zulu Records at 1972 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets at the door $35.00, cash or credit card. Details at cw4wafghan.ca.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A GALA FUNDRAISER
In support Pandora's Collective's Poetry Outreach Program at the BC Children's Hospital's Eating Disorder Clinic for Youth. This 1920s themed event hosted by RC Weslowski features music by singer Sharon Bryson and appearnces from literary greats. Saturday, November 15 from 7-10pm at Vinci's Caffe and Gallery, 194 West 3rd Avenue. Tickets are $45 ($35 for member of Pandora's Collective) and includes a glass of wine and canapes. Details and to purchase tickets: bit.ly/1qr0TLw.
WHY MUSEUMS MATTER
Random House of Canada and The Beaty Biodiversity Museum invite you to a special event on why museums matter to the arts. Friday, November 14th 7:00-8:30pm. Featuring the award-winning author Aislinn Hunter, the award-winning singer-songwriter Veda Hille, and the Museum of Vancouver's Jillian Povarchook. Join us for live music, a short reading, and a passionate discussion about museums and artistry in one of the most haunting museums in Vancouver. Free.
AUTHORFEST
Featuring Norma Charles, Robert Heidbreder and Deborah Hodges. Sponsored by The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable and the Education Library at UBC. Scarfe 100, 4:30pm-6:00pm. Free. More information at www.vclr.ca.
KAREN ARMSTRONG
The world-renowned author, founder of the international Charter for Compassion, TED Prize winner and recipient of SFU's 2012 Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue returns to Vancouver to launch her new book Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence. Monday, November 17 at 7:00pm. Tickets $19.50/$11.50; can't afford a ticket, email dial@sfu.ca. The Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street. More information at sfu.ca.
MIRANDA PEARSON and CHRISTOPHER LEVENSON
Poets Miranda Pearson, (Prime, The Aviary and Harbour) and Christopher Levenson, whose recent collection, Night Vision, was shortlisted for the 2014 Governor General's award for poetry, will read at 7p.m. Wednesday 19th
November at People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391, Commercial Drive. For more information call Christopher Levenson at 604 739-9565.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Heidi Greco and Mariner Janes are the featured poets. Wednesday, November 19 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
The 30th annual Jewish Book Festival featuring an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel, including Zeruya Shalev, Steven Galloway, Dr. Brian Goldman, Bob Bossin, and Mark Leiren-Young. November 22-27, 2014. More information at jewishbookfestival.ca.
Upcoming
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Christopher Levenson, Sean Wiebe, and Fionncara MacEoin plus open mic. Thursday, November 27th, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
THE SEA AMONG US
Join BC-based researchers, Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, as well as several other Vancouver contributors, as they celebrate the release of their new book, The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia. The presentation and book signing will take place at Book Warehouse (Main Street) on Thursday, November 27 at 7pm, and admission is free. For more information, email mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca.
Tonight!
Tickets will be available at the door for our special event with Conrad Black this evening, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/conradblack.
AWARDS & LISTS
Sean Michaels has been awarded the $100,000 Giller Prize for his debut novel, Us Conductors. Only one other first-timer has ever won the prize.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/11/sean-michaels-a-surprise-winner-at-last-nights-scotiabank-giller-prize-gala/
Kathy Stinson and illustrator Dusan Petricic have won the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Their book is called The Man with the Violin.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/11/11/photos-td-canadian-childrens-literature-awards/
Cathy Marie Buchanan has won this year's Forest of Reading Evergreen Award for her book The Painted Girls. The award is part of a reading program initiated by the Ontario Library Association, and aims to recognize the best titles in Canadian adult fiction and non-fiction.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2014/11/07/cathy-marie-buchanan-wins-2014-forest-of-reading-evergreen-award/
YOUNG READERS
Maxwell Neely-Cohen is a YA writer who likes to play with tropes. In this interview, he discusses "smart teens, furious parents, YA tropes, the intersection of video games and literature, messy early drafts, how our screens change how we see the world, and the apocalypse."
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-maxwell-neely-cohen/
NEWS & FEATURES
What makes a good or bad editor? "An editor whose taste is unique to himself is a bad editor. The only person who discovers a writer is the writer himself." Here's an interview with Lorin Stein, editor of The Paris Review.
http://alainelkanninterviews.com/lorin-stein/
Should books be declared an "essential good?" The French government recently declared them so. Daniel Mendelsohn and Mohsin Hamid discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/books/review/should-the-united-states-declare-books-an-essential-good.html
Between the fifth and the thirteenth centuries, most books were made of calf, sheep or goatskin. In this article, Erik Kwakkel explores a few of those books, and discusses why looking at imperfect skin is "far more interesting than studying its perfect counterpart."
http://medievalbooks.nl/2014/10/24/feeling-good-about-bad-skin/
Flannery O'Connor has been inducted into the American Poets Corner at New York's St. John the Divine Cathedral. It is the "only shrine to American literature in the country."
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/flannery-oconnors-manhattan-memorial
John le Carré's A Most Wanted Man has been banned at Guantánamo Bay. "The fact that le Carré's book is banned at least certifies that the censors at Guantánamo Bay can read-and take offence. Few novels have been more critical of America's post-2001 "security" apparatus than A Most Wanted Man."
http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/a-most-wanted-man-by-john-le-carre-964
Translator Greg Spence is currently in the process of translating Joseph Boyden's critically acclaimed first novel, Three Day Road, into Cree. Many problems have arisen, especially from the opposing worldviews inherent within the languages themselves.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-culture/2014/11/11/spotlight-translating-joseph-boydens-three-day-road
Seven Munsch titles, including Love You Forever, Thomas' Snowsuit, Mud Puddle, and I Have to Go have all been translated by a committee of Mi'kmaq educators.
http://www.quillandquire.com/childrens-publishing/2014/11/11/spotlight-robert-munsch-in-mikmaq/
Last but not least, there has been an recent effort to create indigenous graphic novels for the YA set, spearheaded by David Alexander, who writes books that draw on Cree mythology and history. His books are just some of many that can be found in the Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection at the University of Manitoba.
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2014/11/11/spotlight-david-alexanders-graphic-novels-draw-on-cree-mythology/
BOOKS & WRITERS
As the audience at this week's VWF event with Bruce Cockburn discovered, his book Rumours of Glory is "not your standard rock 'n' roll memoir." A Globe and Mail interview with Cockburn can be found here.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/from-bruce-cockburn-not-your-standard-rocknroll-memoir/article21538901/
A new book, Writers: Literary Lives in Focus, is a collection of two hundred and fifty portraits of literary greats. "From Henri Cartier-Bresson's 1947 photograph of William Faulkner at his home in Oxford, Mississippi, to Philippe Halsman's portrait of a leaping Aldous Huxley, the book is a testament to the expressive power of portrait photography."
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/capturing-literary-lives
The curator of the Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia, Ontario, has compiled a poetry anthology dedicated to Gordon Lightfoot. Stephen Leacock is "probably the person of largest significance in our town, but he's been dead since 1944. We thought we would look forward."
http://www.quillandquire.com/bookselling-2/2014/11/11/leacock-museum-curator-compiles-poetry-anthology-dedicated-to-gordon-lightfoot/
What was the last poem you loved? For Brian Spears, it was Let Me Tell You, by Miller Williams, "a terrific poem to start beginning students off with, because it illustrates the importance of image when writing a narrative poem, among other things."
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-last-poem-i-loved-let-me-tell-you-by-miller-williams/
Two years ago, fans of John Darnielle's band, the Mountain Goats, led a campaign to see him named US Poet Laureate. Now his debut novel, Wolf in White Van, has been named to the 2014 National Book Award longlist. He's interviewed here.
http://therumpus.net/2014/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-john-darnielle/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SOUTHBANK READING SERIES
Features Kate Braid, with Cristina Viviani, Daniela Elza, Tanveer Sohal, Laurel Albina, Joan Boxall, and Bernice Lever. Nov 13, doors open at 6pm, readings begin at 6:30pm. Location: Surrey Central City Library.
AFGHAN STORYTELLING EVENING
A diverse line-up of speakers will tell short stories to accompany images of Afghanistan: about people, places, food, family, music, culture, art, education, and more. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets include full dinner, dessert, beverages for $25 per person through Eventbrite or at Zulu Records at 1972 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets at the door $35.00, cash or credit card. Details at cw4wafghan.ca.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A GALA FUNDRAISER
In support Pandora's Collective's Poetry Outreach Program at the BC Children's Hospital's Eating Disorder Clinic for Youth. This 1920s themed event hosted by RC Weslowski features music by singer Sharon Bryson and appearnces from literary greats. Saturday, November 15 from 7-10pm at Vinci's Caffe and Gallery, 194 West 3rd Avenue. Tickets are $45 ($35 for member of Pandora's Collective) and includes a glass of wine and canapes. Details and to purchase tickets: bit.ly/1qr0TLw.
WHY MUSEUMS MATTER
Random House of Canada and The Beaty Biodiversity Museum invite you to a special event on why museums matter to the arts. Friday, November 14th 7:00-8:30pm. Featuring the award-winning author Aislinn Hunter, the award-winning singer-songwriter Veda Hille, and the Museum of Vancouver's Jillian Povarchook. Join us for live music, a short reading, and a passionate discussion about museums and artistry in one of the most haunting museums in Vancouver. Free.
AUTHORFEST
Featuring Norma Charles, Robert Heidbreder and Deborah Hodges. Sponsored by The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable and the Education Library at UBC. Scarfe 100, 4:30pm-6:00pm. Free. More information at www.vclr.ca.
KAREN ARMSTRONG
The world-renowned author, founder of the international Charter for Compassion, TED Prize winner and recipient of SFU's 2012 Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue returns to Vancouver to launch her new book Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence. Monday, November 17 at 7:00pm. Tickets $19.50/$11.50; can't afford a ticket, email dial@sfu.ca. The Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street. More information at sfu.ca.
MIRANDA PEARSON and CHRISTOPHER LEVENSON
Poets Miranda Pearson, (Prime, The Aviary and Harbour) and Christopher Levenson, whose recent collection, Night Vision, was shortlisted for the 2014 Governor General's award for poetry, will read at 7p.m. Wednesday 19th
November at People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391, Commercial Drive. For more information call Christopher Levenson at 604 739-9565.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Heidi Greco and Mariner Janes are the featured poets. Wednesday, November 19 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
The 30th annual Jewish Book Festival featuring an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel, including Zeruya Shalev, Steven Galloway, Dr. Brian Goldman, Bob Bossin, and Mark Leiren-Young. November 22-27, 2014. More information at jewishbookfestival.ca.
Upcoming
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Christopher Levenson, Sean Wiebe, and Fionncara MacEoin plus open mic. Thursday, November 27th, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
THE SEA AMONG US
Join BC-based researchers, Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, as well as several other Vancouver contributors, as they celebrate the release of their new book, The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia. The presentation and book signing will take place at Book Warehouse (Main Street) on Thursday, November 27 at 7pm, and admission is free. For more information, email mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Book News Vol. 9 No. 35
BOOK NEWS
Special Events
Special event tickets are on sale for Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13). More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Between the Pages: An Evening with the Scotiabank Giller Prize Finalists
The Scotiabank Giller Prize celebration reaches Vancouver on November 6. The event features appearances by Giller Prize short-listed authors David Bezmozgis, Frances Itani, Sean Michaels, Heather O'Neill, Miriam Toews and Padma Viswanathan, as well as special guest appearances and entertainment. Special offer! Use the promo code discount code AUTHOR and receive the special discount price of $20. Event information and ticket sales details, http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/11004D427A357D04.
AWARDS & LISTS
Miriam Toews has won the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize for her "heart-wrenching" novel All My Puny Sorrows. Winners of the four body-of-work awards were Ken Babstock, Joan Thomas, Cary Fagan and Susan Musgrave. The $10,000 Writers' Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize, for best short story published by an emerging writer in a Canadian literary journal or magazine, went to Tyler Keevil.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Writers+Trust+awards+including+25000+fiction+prize+handed/10351739/story.html
The Banff Centre has announced the winners of its Banff Mountain Book Competition, which includes such categories as Mountain Fiction and Poetry, Adventure Travel, and Mountaineering History.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/10/31/banff-mountain-book-competition-winners-announced/
Helen Macdonald's H is For Hawk has won the Samuel Johnson Prize, Britain's most prestigious non-fiction award. This "extraordinary" memoir documents her attempts to win the trust of a wild hawk as she struggled to deal with the death of her father.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/04/samuel-johnson-prize-helen-macdonald-h-is-for-hawk
The BC Francophone Federation (Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique) is offering a $1,000 prize to an author in British Columbia, in recognition of the excellence of a literary or scientific work written in French. The deadline is December 30, 2014.
http://www.ffcb.ca/prix-et-bourse/
YOUNG READERS
What are the best books on animals for children? Here's a roundup of some of the best new books on the subject, as well as some older classics.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/childrens-books-site/2014/nov/03/best-books-on-animals-and-children
NEWS & FEATURES
The Man Booker Prize has always had an eclectic panel of judges. "There have been many non-literary types amongst the judges: a former spy, a former dancer, a Downton Abbey actor–but science, apparently, was a step too far." This year, that changed.
http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/11/year-i-became-first-scientist-judge-man-booker
Do you want some quick and easy advice for reading poetry? Here's a "guide for the perplexed," 20 strategies that will help you rethink the act of reading a poem.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/11/how-to-read-poetry-a-step-by-step-guide/380657/
A new exhibit is opening in Toronto, celebrating the life of one of Canada's most important literary figures: Winnie the Pooh!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/remembering-the-real-winnie-the-pooh/article21442185/
Halloween might be over, but it's never too late to enjoy a little of the macabre (of the literary variety, of course.) Here's a glimpse into the mind of William Makepeace Thackeray when was "at his most imaginatively unhinged."
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2014/10/27/thackeray-gets-grotesque/
Are you a writer in search of inspiration? You can now find all the solitude, beauty, natural sublimity, global travel, and extended stretches of time that you've been looking for in this strangest of artist residencies: a container ship.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artists-search-inspiration-can-now-find-thier-muse-cargo-ship-180953189/
What influences writers (other than books)? Thomas Mallon and James Parker discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/books/review/as-a-writer-what-influences-you-other-than-books.html
An "immortality auction" is currently underway. "To raise money for the charity Freedom from Torture, seventeen authors—including Margaret Atwood, Julian Barnes, Ken Follett, Hanif Kureishi, Will Self, Alan Hollinghurst, and Zadie Smith—are offering the rights to name characters in their new novels."
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/authors-auction-off-novelistic-naming-rights/
Which books are going to end up in your stocking this Christmas? The booksellers are already making their predictions!
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/04/christmas-reads-what-books-are-going-to-end-up-in-your-stocking-this-year
HarperCollinsCanada president and CEO David Kent has resigned and the company is closing its Toronto warehouse.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/harpercollins-canada-closes-toronto-warehouse/article21450745/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Richard Ford's Let Me Be Frank With You is his fourth book featuring the protagonist Frank Bascombe, who was introduced in 1986's The Sportswriter. It's a quartet of overlapping stories, a "portrait of a man in the closing chapters of his life, looking back at the receding vistas of his life."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/03/arts/richard-fords-hero-returns-in-let-me-be-frank-with-you.html
Clive James' pen never rests, even when facing death. Despite a leukemia diagnosis, James has continued to "publish poetry and work on other projects in a career that has defied definition."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/01/world/europe/prolific-writer-clive-james-facing-death-reflects-on-getting-a-few-things-done.html
You can read one of James' newest poems here, in the online version of The Times Literary Supplement. It's called Rounded with a Sleep.
http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article1443087.ece
In this month's New Yorker fiction podcast, David Gilbert (author of the novel And Sons) reads the story Leg, by Steven Polansky. "You know how you can have songs that get stuck in your head—those earworms. There are also storyworms that get stuck in your head. And this is one of those stories."
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/fiction-podcast-david-gilbert-reads-steven-polansky
M.G. Vassanji's new memoir, And Home Was Kariakoo, is "a complex exploration of the concept of home." It follows up where his first memoir, A Place Within: Rediscovering India, left off: his birth in Kenya, and Tanzania, the place where he grew up.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/mg-vassanjis-and-home-was-kariakoo-is-a-complex-exploration-of-the-concept-of-home/article21406448/
What's the best advice Russell Wangersky has ever got? "Read everything you write out loud."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-best-advice-writer-russell-wangersky-has-ever-gotten-read-everything-you-write-out-loud/article21408281/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
JOHN RALSTON SAUL
Presented by UBC Continuing Studies and the Laurier Institution in partnership with UBC First Nations House of Learning and the Vancouver Writers Fest. Thursday, November 6 at 7:00pm. Cost: $5 – all proceeds donated to the First Nations House of Learning Bursary. Register by phoning 604-822-1444, or online at cstudies.ubc.ca/comeback. Sty-Wet-Tan Hall, First Nations Longhouse, 1985 West Mall, UBC Point Grey.
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
To mark Remembrance Day, five local writers will read from the work of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Isaac Rosenberg, Keith Douglas and Denise Levertov. Sunday 9th November at 3 p.m. in the Alice Mackay Room, lower level, Vancouver Public Library., 350 West Georgia Street. Free.
MICHAEL WINTER
Author reads from his new book, Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead: A history and enquiry into The Royal Newfoundland Regiment and their service in WW1. Monday, November 10 at 6:00pm. Main Street Legion, 3917 Main Street.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Elaine Woo with Jen Currin and Christine Leclerc. Wednesday, November 12, 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
SOUTHBANK READING SERIES
Features Kate Braid, with Cristina Viviani, Daniela Elza, Tanveer Sohal, Laurel Albina, Joan Boxall, and Bernice Lever. Nov 13, doors open at 6pm, readings begin at 6:30pm. Location: Surrey Central City Library.
AFGHAN STORYTELLING EVENING
A diverse line-up of speakers will tell short stories to accompany images of Afghanistan: about people, places, food, family, music, culture, art, education, and more. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets include full dinner, dessert, beverages for $25 per person through Eventbrite or at Zulu Records at 1972 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets at the door $35.00, cash or credit card. Details at cw4wafghan.ca.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A GALA FUNDRAISER
In support Pandora's Collective's Poetry Outreach Program at the BC Children's Hospital's Eating Disorder
Clinic for Youth under the age of 18. This 1920s themed event hosted by RC Weslowski features music by local songstress Sharon Bryson and visits from literary greats. Saturday, November 15 from 7-10pm at Vinci's Caffe and Gallery, 194 West 3rd Avenue. Tickets are only $45 (or $35 if you're a member of Pandora's Collective) and includes a glass of wine and canapes. Details and to purchase tickets: bit.ly/1qr0TLw.
AUTHORFEST
Featuring Norma Charles, Robert Heidbreder and Deborah Hodges. Sponsored by The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable and the Education Library at UBC. Scarfe 100, 4:30pm-6:00pm. Free. More information at www.vclr.ca.
KAREN ARMSTRONG
The world-renowned author, founder of the international Charter for Compassion, TED Prize winner and recipient of SFU's 2012 Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue returns to Vancouver to launch her new book Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence. Monday, November 17 at 7:00pm. Tickets $19.50/$11.50; can't afford a ticket, email dial@sfu.ca. The Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street. More information at sfu.ca.
Upcoming
MIRANDA PEARSON and CHRISTOPHER LEVENSON
Poets Miranda Pearson, (Prime, The Aviary and Harbour) and Christopher Levenson, whose recent collection, Night Vision, was shortlisted for the 2014 Governor General's award for poetry, will read at 7p.m. Wednesday 19th
November at People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391, Commercial Drive. For more information call Christopher Levenson at 604 739-9565.
JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
The 30th annual Jewish Book Festival featuring an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel, including Zeruya Shalev, Steven Galloway, Dr. Brian Goldman, Bob Bossin, and Mark Leiren-Young. November 22-27, 2014. More information at jewishbookfestival.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Christopher Levenson, Sean Wiebe, and Fionncara MacEoin plus open mic. Thursday, November 27th, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
THE SEA AMONG US
Join BC-based researchers, Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, as well as several other Vancouver contributors, as they celebrate the release of their new book, The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia. The presentation and book signing will take place at Book Warehouse (Main Street) on Thursday, November 27 at 7pm, and admission is free. For more information, email mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca.
Special Events
Special event tickets are on sale for Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13). More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Between the Pages: An Evening with the Scotiabank Giller Prize Finalists
The Scotiabank Giller Prize celebration reaches Vancouver on November 6. The event features appearances by Giller Prize short-listed authors David Bezmozgis, Frances Itani, Sean Michaels, Heather O'Neill, Miriam Toews and Padma Viswanathan, as well as special guest appearances and entertainment. Special offer! Use the promo code discount code AUTHOR and receive the special discount price of $20. Event information and ticket sales details, http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/11004D427A357D04.
AWARDS & LISTS
Miriam Toews has won the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize for her "heart-wrenching" novel All My Puny Sorrows. Winners of the four body-of-work awards were Ken Babstock, Joan Thomas, Cary Fagan and Susan Musgrave. The $10,000 Writers' Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize, for best short story published by an emerging writer in a Canadian literary journal or magazine, went to Tyler Keevil.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Writers+Trust+awards+including+25000+fiction+prize+handed/10351739/story.html
The Banff Centre has announced the winners of its Banff Mountain Book Competition, which includes such categories as Mountain Fiction and Poetry, Adventure Travel, and Mountaineering History.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/10/31/banff-mountain-book-competition-winners-announced/
Helen Macdonald's H is For Hawk has won the Samuel Johnson Prize, Britain's most prestigious non-fiction award. This "extraordinary" memoir documents her attempts to win the trust of a wild hawk as she struggled to deal with the death of her father.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/04/samuel-johnson-prize-helen-macdonald-h-is-for-hawk
The BC Francophone Federation (Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique) is offering a $1,000 prize to an author in British Columbia, in recognition of the excellence of a literary or scientific work written in French. The deadline is December 30, 2014.
http://www.ffcb.ca/prix-et-bourse/
YOUNG READERS
What are the best books on animals for children? Here's a roundup of some of the best new books on the subject, as well as some older classics.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/childrens-books-site/2014/nov/03/best-books-on-animals-and-children
NEWS & FEATURES
The Man Booker Prize has always had an eclectic panel of judges. "There have been many non-literary types amongst the judges: a former spy, a former dancer, a Downton Abbey actor–but science, apparently, was a step too far." This year, that changed.
http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/11/year-i-became-first-scientist-judge-man-booker
Do you want some quick and easy advice for reading poetry? Here's a "guide for the perplexed," 20 strategies that will help you rethink the act of reading a poem.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/11/how-to-read-poetry-a-step-by-step-guide/380657/
A new exhibit is opening in Toronto, celebrating the life of one of Canada's most important literary figures: Winnie the Pooh!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/remembering-the-real-winnie-the-pooh/article21442185/
Halloween might be over, but it's never too late to enjoy a little of the macabre (of the literary variety, of course.) Here's a glimpse into the mind of William Makepeace Thackeray when was "at his most imaginatively unhinged."
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2014/10/27/thackeray-gets-grotesque/
Are you a writer in search of inspiration? You can now find all the solitude, beauty, natural sublimity, global travel, and extended stretches of time that you've been looking for in this strangest of artist residencies: a container ship.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artists-search-inspiration-can-now-find-thier-muse-cargo-ship-180953189/
What influences writers (other than books)? Thomas Mallon and James Parker discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/books/review/as-a-writer-what-influences-you-other-than-books.html
An "immortality auction" is currently underway. "To raise money for the charity Freedom from Torture, seventeen authors—including Margaret Atwood, Julian Barnes, Ken Follett, Hanif Kureishi, Will Self, Alan Hollinghurst, and Zadie Smith—are offering the rights to name characters in their new novels."
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/authors-auction-off-novelistic-naming-rights/
Which books are going to end up in your stocking this Christmas? The booksellers are already making their predictions!
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/04/christmas-reads-what-books-are-going-to-end-up-in-your-stocking-this-year
HarperCollinsCanada president and CEO David Kent has resigned and the company is closing its Toronto warehouse.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/harpercollins-canada-closes-toronto-warehouse/article21450745/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Richard Ford's Let Me Be Frank With You is his fourth book featuring the protagonist Frank Bascombe, who was introduced in 1986's The Sportswriter. It's a quartet of overlapping stories, a "portrait of a man in the closing chapters of his life, looking back at the receding vistas of his life."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/03/arts/richard-fords-hero-returns-in-let-me-be-frank-with-you.html
Clive James' pen never rests, even when facing death. Despite a leukemia diagnosis, James has continued to "publish poetry and work on other projects in a career that has defied definition."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/01/world/europe/prolific-writer-clive-james-facing-death-reflects-on-getting-a-few-things-done.html
You can read one of James' newest poems here, in the online version of The Times Literary Supplement. It's called Rounded with a Sleep.
http://www.the-tls.co.uk/tls/public/article1443087.ece
In this month's New Yorker fiction podcast, David Gilbert (author of the novel And Sons) reads the story Leg, by Steven Polansky. "You know how you can have songs that get stuck in your head—those earworms. There are also storyworms that get stuck in your head. And this is one of those stories."
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/fiction-podcast-david-gilbert-reads-steven-polansky
M.G. Vassanji's new memoir, And Home Was Kariakoo, is "a complex exploration of the concept of home." It follows up where his first memoir, A Place Within: Rediscovering India, left off: his birth in Kenya, and Tanzania, the place where he grew up.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/mg-vassanjis-and-home-was-kariakoo-is-a-complex-exploration-of-the-concept-of-home/article21406448/
What's the best advice Russell Wangersky has ever got? "Read everything you write out loud."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-best-advice-writer-russell-wangersky-has-ever-gotten-read-everything-you-write-out-loud/article21408281/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
JOHN RALSTON SAUL
Presented by UBC Continuing Studies and the Laurier Institution in partnership with UBC First Nations House of Learning and the Vancouver Writers Fest. Thursday, November 6 at 7:00pm. Cost: $5 – all proceeds donated to the First Nations House of Learning Bursary. Register by phoning 604-822-1444, or online at cstudies.ubc.ca/comeback. Sty-Wet-Tan Hall, First Nations Longhouse, 1985 West Mall, UBC Point Grey.
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
To mark Remembrance Day, five local writers will read from the work of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Isaac Rosenberg, Keith Douglas and Denise Levertov. Sunday 9th November at 3 p.m. in the Alice Mackay Room, lower level, Vancouver Public Library., 350 West Georgia Street. Free.
MICHAEL WINTER
Author reads from his new book, Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead: A history and enquiry into The Royal Newfoundland Regiment and their service in WW1. Monday, November 10 at 6:00pm. Main Street Legion, 3917 Main Street.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Elaine Woo with Jen Currin and Christine Leclerc. Wednesday, November 12, 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
SOUTHBANK READING SERIES
Features Kate Braid, with Cristina Viviani, Daniela Elza, Tanveer Sohal, Laurel Albina, Joan Boxall, and Bernice Lever. Nov 13, doors open at 6pm, readings begin at 6:30pm. Location: Surrey Central City Library.
AFGHAN STORYTELLING EVENING
A diverse line-up of speakers will tell short stories to accompany images of Afghanistan: about people, places, food, family, music, culture, art, education, and more. Thursday, November 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets include full dinner, dessert, beverages for $25 per person through Eventbrite or at Zulu Records at 1972 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets at the door $35.00, cash or credit card. Details at cw4wafghan.ca.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A GALA FUNDRAISER
In support Pandora's Collective's Poetry Outreach Program at the BC Children's Hospital's Eating Disorder
Clinic for Youth under the age of 18. This 1920s themed event hosted by RC Weslowski features music by local songstress Sharon Bryson and visits from literary greats. Saturday, November 15 from 7-10pm at Vinci's Caffe and Gallery, 194 West 3rd Avenue. Tickets are only $45 (or $35 if you're a member of Pandora's Collective) and includes a glass of wine and canapes. Details and to purchase tickets: bit.ly/1qr0TLw.
AUTHORFEST
Featuring Norma Charles, Robert Heidbreder and Deborah Hodges. Sponsored by The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable and the Education Library at UBC. Scarfe 100, 4:30pm-6:00pm. Free. More information at www.vclr.ca.
KAREN ARMSTRONG
The world-renowned author, founder of the international Charter for Compassion, TED Prize winner and recipient of SFU's 2012 Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue returns to Vancouver to launch her new book Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence. Monday, November 17 at 7:00pm. Tickets $19.50/$11.50; can't afford a ticket, email dial@sfu.ca. The Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street. More information at sfu.ca.
Upcoming
MIRANDA PEARSON and CHRISTOPHER LEVENSON
Poets Miranda Pearson, (Prime, The Aviary and Harbour) and Christopher Levenson, whose recent collection, Night Vision, was shortlisted for the 2014 Governor General's award for poetry, will read at 7p.m. Wednesday 19th
November at People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391, Commercial Drive. For more information call Christopher Levenson at 604 739-9565.
JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL
The 30th annual Jewish Book Festival featuring an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel, including Zeruya Shalev, Steven Galloway, Dr. Brian Goldman, Bob Bossin, and Mark Leiren-Young. November 22-27, 2014. More information at jewishbookfestival.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Christopher Levenson, Sean Wiebe, and Fionncara MacEoin plus open mic. Thursday, November 27th, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
THE SEA AMONG US
Join BC-based researchers, Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, as well as several other Vancouver contributors, as they celebrate the release of their new book, The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia. The presentation and book signing will take place at Book Warehouse (Main Street) on Thursday, November 27 at 7pm, and admission is free. For more information, email mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca.
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